Bearded dragon enclosure size and setup

Bearded dragon at a glance

Minimum enclosure

48 × 24 × 24 inches122 × 61 × 61 cm, about 120 gallons

Warm side

104-107°F

Cool side

71-77°F

Humidity

30-40%

UVB

Zone 3

Group

Lizards

Needs a real basking spot and strong UVB, usually a T5 HO 10-12% tube. Compact coil bulbs aren't enough.

Common questions

What size enclosure does a bearded dragon need?

At least 48 × 24 × 24 inches (122 × 61 × 61 cm) for one adult, about 120 gallons. Floor space matters more than height for this species. Bigger is always better if you have room.

What temperature should a bearded dragon enclosure be?

Aim for a warm side of 104-107°F and a cool side of 71-77°F, so it can move between the two to control its body temperature. Check with a digital probe thermometer, not a stick-on dial.

What humidity does a bearded dragon need?

30-40%. A digital hygrometer in the middle of the enclosure gives the most useful reading.

Does a bearded dragon need UVB?

Yes, Zone 3, which means strong UVB, for regular sun baskers. Match your bulb and its distance to that level using the maker's chart, and replace it on schedule.

Which common tanks fit an adult bearded dragon?

Of the common sizes, these meet the adult minimum: 4 × 2 × 2 (120 gallon) (48 × 24 × 24 in), 4 × 2 × 4 tall (48 × 24 × 48 in), 6 × 2 × 2 (72 × 24 × 24 in), 6 × 3 × 4 (72 × 36 × 48 in), 8 × 4 × 4 (96 × 48 × 48 in).

These are common hobbyist guidelines for a healthy adult, based mostly on published species care guides. Babies, sick animals and specific localities can need different setups, so check with a reptile vet for anything serious.

More tools for your bearded dragon

• Substrate
• Bioactive layers
• Running cost
• UVB bulb tracker
• Egg incubation

Other reptiles